Oral Histories

An initiative that began in 2017, the University Archives has begun to digitize items from the Historical Audio Recordings collection and other collections. We have sorted these recordings into four categories: Lectures and Presentations, Oral Histories, Performances and Speeches. At present the category of Oral Histories is the only category that we are actively adding to. With support from the Office of the Provost, the University Archives has been interviewing current and emeritus faculty, staff and students on their experiences at Eastern Michigan University.

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Brian Tolbert, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Brian Tolbert played basketball for the EMU Hurons from 1992 until 1996, becoming the second-leading three point scorer in EMU history. In this interview, Tolbert recalls the 1995 protest that disrupted a basketball game in Bowen Field House, and details the physical conditioning regimen he followed to compete with his bigger, stronger college teammates. Tolbert describes the mentorship of the basketball team and the qualities of basketball coach, Ben Braun.
Brian Tolbert, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Brian Tolbert played basketball for the EMU Hurons from 1992 until 1996, becoming the second-leading three point scorer in EMU history. In this interview, Tolbert recalls the 1995 protest that disrupted a basketball game in Bowen Field House, and details the physical conditioning regimen he followed to compete with his bigger, stronger college teammates. Tolbert describes the mentorship of the basketball team and the qualities of basketball coach, Ben Braun.
Bruce Nelson, Oral History Interview, 1999

Laurence Smith

Bruce Nelson served Eastern Michigan University in a number of roles from 1954 until 1981, serving as Vice President of Instruction for 21 of those years. In this interview, Nelson describes the administrative hierarchy and operations at Eastern Michigan University during his tenure with the school. Nelson profiles several faculty and administration officials while describing their impact on the power and academic structure of EMU. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
Carl and Charles Thomas, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Identical twins Carl and Charles Thomas played basketball for Eastern Michigan University from 1987 until 1991. The Thomas twins helped the EMU men’s basketball team reach great heights from 1988-91. The then-Hurons won two Mid-American Conference titles (1987-88, 1990-91), made two NCAA Tournament appearances (1987-88, 1990-91) and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 1990-91 NCAA Tournament. In this interview, the Thomas brothers reflect on their respective paths to EMU, the mentorship and friendship of teammate Grant Long, the atmosphere at a Bowen Field House basketball game and the ups and downs of balancing academics with athletics. Both speakers emphasized the value of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, and discussed how their education and experiences have influenced their coaching styles. Finally, they shared their perspectives on leaving a lasting impact and making a difference in their respective fields.
Carl Ebach, Interview, 2021

Matt Jones

On October 9, 2021, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, EMU Athletics superfan Carl Ebach recounts his early life as an orphan and the sense of community he found at EMU sporting events following his service in the US military. Having attended more than 3,500 EMU sporting events, Ebach details his most stirring memories, including the 1987 California Bowl appearance by the EMU football team.
Carl Pursell, Oral History Interview, 1998

Laurence Smith

Carl Pursell served as Regent of Eastern Michigan University from 1993-1999. This interview details Pursell’s involvement in state and national politics prior to his work at Eastern Michigan University. This interview is distributed over two cassette tapes. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
Casper Mielke, Interview, 2023

Finn Vincent-Fix

In November of 2023, Eastern Michigan University’s LGBT Resource Center hosted an event in collaboration with the University Archives’ Oral History Program during Transgender Awareness Week where students could share their experiences with being part of the LGBT community on and off campus. EMU student Casper Mielke talks about what brought them to Eastern, plans after graduation, and creating characters as a form of self-care.
Cedrick Charles, Oral History Interview, 2024

Cassandra Mitchell

Cedrick Charles is an undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University who has been very active in campus life, as he is involved in many student organizations and has participated in Student Government serving as the Speaker of the Senate (2021-2022), and Vice President (2022-2023). In this interview, Charles recounts his experience growing up in a large immigrant family, as his parents and extended family immigrated to South Florida from Haiti in the 1990s, and what immigration means to him. Charles discusses what led him to come to Eastern Michigan University, why he is pursuing a degree in economics and political science, and how he became involved in campus organizations and Student Government. Charles also explains how he became involved in resettling the 12 Afghan families into on-campus housing in 2022 as a result of his role in Student Government, recruiting volunteers to assist in the move in process, and discussions he had with personnel from Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County to ensure the process went smoothly.
Charles Duty, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians.

On March 21, 2022, Jones talked to outspoken activist, community organizer, and participant in the ordinance campaigns, Charles Duty. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Duty found himself in Ypsilanti in the 1980s, when life was becoming more and more expensive in his hometown. At an early age he was taught what discrimination is, and why it is wrong, and he continued to carry those lessons into adulthood. In Ypsi, Duty became familiar with local organizations and city officials, working with them to change the quality of life for everyone. After hearing about the print shop incident, he took the initiative to become an outspoken and highly-visible advocate for the ordinance campaigns, learning how to keep marching and living authentically. In this interview, Duty shares some of the finer details of LGBTQ life in Ypsi before and after the ordinance, expands on his connections to political figures and groups, his passion for justice, and reiterates the importance of standing up for oneself and others.
Cheryl Farmer, Oral History Interview, 2021

Matt Jones

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On December 23, 2021, Jones sat down with former Ypsilanti mayor, Dr. Cheryl Farmer. After moving to Ypsi to complete her residency and learning about the disconnect between city councils and residents, Farmer joined efforts to rewrite the city's charter. In 1995, she became Ypsi's mayor, and until her leave in 2006 she pushed for changes in Ypsi's infrastructure, and fostered a greater sense of trust between Ypsi residents and the government. One of the most memorable and noteworthy acts of her mayor-ship is the creation and passage of Ordinance 1279-deeply entwined in the process, she drafted the committee and eventually signed 1279 into law. During this interview, Farmer sheds light on the ways her upbringing impacted her values as mayor, the workings of local government in contentious times, and all the ways change can happen when communities come together.
Cheryl Walker, Interview, 2023

Brooke Boyst and Marian Feinberg

On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, alum Cheryl Walker speaks of the lifelong friendships formed at EMU in the late 1970s, her initial, post-graduate teaching experiences, and speculates on a life without attending EMU.
Christopher Durden, Interview, 2023

Finn Vincent-Fix

In November of 2023, Eastern Michigan University’s LGBT Resource Center hosted an event in collaboration with the University Archives’ Oral History Program during Transgender Awareness Week where students could share their experiences with being part of the LGBT community on and off campus. EMU student Christopher Durden talks about coming out to parents who are supportive, finding LGBTQ friendly spaces on campus, and being your authentic self.
Chuck Coleman, Oral History Interview, November 13, 2018

Rachel Burns and Matt Jones

Chuck Coleman is a former Eastern Michigan University student activist. Before exiting the university in 1978, Coleman was a member of the Black Student Association, Campus Service Corps, and a student representative of the Office of Minority Affairs. Coleman played an important role for bettering conditions for students of color on campus.
Courtney McAnuff, July 6, 2018

Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks

Courtney McAnuff was Vice President for Enrollment Services at Eastern Michigan University from 1996 until his departure in 2006. Prior to serving as Vice President, McAnuff served EMU in a variety of positions starting in 1980 as Director of Financial Aid. Larry Smith, former Vice President for Student Affairs at EMU said “if Courtney had a fan club, I would be the president.” McAnuff committed himself to many vital undertakings at EMU, both on and off campus, earning McAnuff Emeritus status in 2006.
Dale Leslie, Interview, 2022

Cassandra Mitchell

On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, Dale Leslie (class of 1970) recounts his journey to EMU and pledging to the Theta Chi Fraternity upon arrival. Leslie credits the female to male ratio as one of the drivers of his attending the school, and the quality of instructors he found once on campus. Leslie also speaks of the cultural shifts at play on college campuses on the late 1960s and early 1970s, the evolution of digital film, and the importance of the lifelong friendships made in college.
Dale "Luke" Kreger, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Dale "Luke" Kreger was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1961 until 1965. Universally known for his fraternity antics, Kreger was the older brother of fellow Arm of Honor member, Robin "Hawk" Kreger. In this interview, Kreger details his time growing up in Wayne County, MI., his teammates in high school athletics, and the occupations of his parents. Kreger describes the pledge process and initiation rituals and Hell Night, and recounts several of his favorite Arm brothers. Kreger discusses how the fraternity system has changed and talks about the unbreakable bonds gained during his time with the fraternity.
Dan Gretzner, Interview, 2023

Brooke Boyst

On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, EMU alum Dan Gretzner (class of 1991) speaks of his introduction to EMU via Sports Information Director Jim Streeter, his newfound love of Earth Science, cultural events during his time on campus, and traveling with the EMU basketball team as an assistant sports writer with the Eastern Echo.
Darlene Bellers, Interview, 2022

Brooke Boyst

On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, Emu faculty member with the Office of Dietetics and Nutrition Darlene Bellers. Bellers, also an alum of EMU, speaks on her first experiences on campus and the nervousness of meeting so many new people at once. Bellers worked for Bob England and Michelle Owens at the Olds-Robb Recreation Center, and was more focused on her life after graduation than participating in many of the college activities available at the time. Bellers says that her dream is to have her children attend EMU as well, making it a true “family affair.”
Dave Barsky, Oral History Interview, 2023

Katherine Hacanyan

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Dave Barsky was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a dedicated student activist, and worked closely with others like Frank Michels on the Second Coming. Barsky was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union after getting expelled from EMU, and continued to be an activist leader.
Dave Willoughby, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

Dave Willoughby was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1987 until 1992. In this interview, Willoughby describes his upbringing in the College Heights area of Ypsilanti with EMU virtually in his backyard. With a father who owned Willoughby Shoe Store in downtown Ypsilanti, Willoughby details his time at Central Michigan University before coming to EMU where he lived in "The Hutch," a windowless room in the Arm house with room for a dresser and a twin bed. Willoughby speaks of his Arm of Honor brothers, his decision to join the frat, his mandatory ride, and the relationship between the University Department of Safety and the Arm of Honor Fraternity. Willoughby describes the night the Arm house was firebombed by a rival frat and the all-neighborhood brawl that nearly followed. Willoughby describes managing fraternity events, charging cover for parties, and the effect of the 2008 recession on the fraternity.
David Cahill, Oral History Interview, 2022

Cassandra Mitchell and Matt Jones

In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. A former political science assistant professor at Eastern Michigan from 1969 to 1970, David Cahill was "non-rehired" after just one year for his support of students and the underground newspaper, the Second Coming. His dismissal fueled student unrest and upset with EMU administration, which led to a student led strike.
David Geherin, Oral History Interiew, 2019

Matt Jones

David Geherin served as professor of English Language and Literature from 1969 until his retirement in 2010. During his time at EMU, Geherin, an author of crime fiction novels and analytic studies of contemporary crime fiction authors, designed several courses, most notably on crime fiction. Geherin was also an avid traveler during his time with the University, accompanying students on World Cultural History tours across Europe, studying classic works or art, history, and literature in their places of origination. Geherin received Emeritus status in 2010.
Dawn Richberg, Oral History Interview, 2022

Matt Jones

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On January 20th, 2022, Jones met with activist, creative, and mother, Dawn Richberg. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richberg moved all across the country with her family before making her way to Ann Arbor in the 1980s. While attending graduate school at University of Michigan, she got involved with the American Friends Service Committee's LGBT Issues Program, which led to her participation in the ordinance campaigns. Richberg's experiences as a Black lesbian meant she brought an important perspective to the campaigns that was needed to help bridge the gap between Black communities and queer communities in Ypsi. In this interview, she shares those personal experiences, her work with the AFSC, and her passion for social justice. Richberg also reflects on the process of making change in the community.
Debbie Sarafian, Interview, 2021

Matt Jones

On October 9, 2021, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, alum Debbie Sarafian details coming up through the Detroit Public Schools, the cost of attending EMU in the 1980s, and getting proposed to in the Alexander Music Building after walking down the hallway with a rival love interest.
Deisha Myles, Oral History Interview, 2021

Erica Moore and Matt Jones

A member of the Native American Student Organization at Eastern Michigan University at the time of the struggle to change the EMU mascot and logo, Deisha [Olszewski] Myles attended nearly every meeting related to the change of what many considered to be an insensitive depiction of Native American culture. Myles speaks of her experience as a student on the Logo Selection Committee, witnessing the tense interactions between university administrators and describing the divisions amongst indigenous participants, divisions that often adhered closely to differing generational values.